As a player and man, he is brilliant – International manager raves about Celtic player

Celtic star Mikael Lustig has been praised by Sweden boss Janne Andersson after helping his side secure a World Cup playoff place.

Despite a 2-0 loss to the Dutch last night, an 8-0 win against Luxembourg a few days earlier was enough to see the Swedes make the playoffs and get one step closer to a spot in Russia next summer.

The Swedes pipped Holland to second in their qualifying group and Andersson singled out the right-back for special praise.

“I worked with the national team several years ago, and then you start working closer to the players and one of those who I feel contributes in every way is Micke (Lustig), both as a player and a guy,” Andersson said after the defeat to Holland, as quoted by the Daily Record website.

Lustig and Sweden will now face a two-legged tie in November to secure their place in Russia and Lustig should be a certainty to be involved with Anderson’s side.

After making his international debut in 2008, Lustig has gone on to win 61 caps and is a regular in the Swedish side.

The defender has been a mainstay of Rodgers’ side this season and has won six Scottish titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups since swapping Rosenborg for Celtic.

Despite suffering an injury scare while away with Sweden, Lustig should be involved when Celtic return to domestic action this weekend against Dundee at Parkhead.

Lustig joined the Hoops in 2012 and has made over 200 appearances for Brendan Rodgers side in his time in Glasgow.